FOOTBALL

Solskjaer not obligated to play Cristiano Ronaldo every game

tennis player

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is under no pressure to pick Cristiano Ronaldo for every game. 

Solskjaer has said that Cristiano Ronaldo will have to be carefully managed after his return to Manchester United. He told the forward he can not expect to play in every game. 

“No, it’s not impossible to leave him out,” Solskjaer said. “He is 36.

“Mason (Greenwood) is 19, so it’s the same. I have to manage his minutes and I have to manage a 36-year-old’s minutes as well. 

“The other thing with Cristiano is that he looks after himself so much so I know he will recover quickly. Of course, it’s important that we get everyone up and running and to get him up and running”, said the United boss. 

Ronaldo marked his comeback in extravagant fashion at the Theatre of dreams, scoring two goals either side of a Javi Manquillo equaliser in a 4-1 win against Newcastle on Saturday. 

In his post-match interview, Ronaldo said the team is full of potential, and “needs to be mature” and “build up confidence” to win the Premier League and Champions League.

Ole on Ronaldo and Varane’s impact off the pitch

Solskjaer is sure that the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane will not only add quality to the team, but will raise standards among the players. Their winning mentality is sure to rub off on the rest of the squad. 

Ole said, “Of course. The more quality you add to the group, the more healthy the competition (is) and (the more) leaders (there are) who they look up to.

“I think seeing Raphael and Cristiano coming has raised everyone’s eyebrows because they are winners.

“They have won everything there is to win and they put demands on themselves which the young boys, the rest of the team, look at and think that is how you stay at the top. So it is only going to be good for everyone.”

Ronaldo not the only one to impress Solskjaer

Another player who caught the eye on Saturday was Jesse Lingard. He came off the bench to score United’s fourth and cap off a brilliant day at the office. 

Lingard’s impressive loan spell at West Ham last season had many thinking that the 28-year-old would make the move permanent. However, he is to play a key role in the coming campaign according to Solskjaer.

“Jesse has had his hard times and he is a lovely boy, or man now. 

“He was allowed to go out to find himself. I could have kept him because I know how good a player he is but he showed everyone with West Ham and England what kind of player he is.

“It was a special day for him, coming back and scoring a goal in front of the fans. He is a Man United kid. He has grown up with the Man United kit on since he was a baby, so I am so pleased for him.”

Follow us on Twitter for regular football updates. 

To Top